• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.542-557
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• 2019

The behavior of rock mass is influenced by its microscopic feature of internal structure generating from forming and metamorphic process. This study investigated a new methodology for characterization of rock based on the X-ray CT (computed tomography) images reflecting the spatial distribution characteristics of internal constituent materials. The X-ray image based analysis is capable of quantification of heterogeneity and anisotropy of rock fabric, size distribution and shape parameter analysis of rock mineral grains, fluid flow simulation based on pore geometry image and roughness evaluation of unexposed joint surface which are hardly acquired by conventional rock testing methods.